J. De Bruyn (Flooring Services) Ltd.

About Linoleum

Linoleum

A Natural Product

Linoleum was invented in England in 1863 by Frederick Walton who coined the name linoleum from the Latin name, linum, which means flax, and oleum, which means oil. Later in the century, Michael Nairn, a flooring manufacturer in Kirkcaldy, Scotland perfected the flooring, introducing qualities such as inlaid patterning .

Linoleum is a flooring that is manufactured by oxidizing linseed oil to form a thick mixture called linoleum cement. The cement is cooled and mixed with pine resin, and wood flour to form sheets on a jute backing. The term, linoleum is often used incorrectly to describe any sheet flooring, when in fact flooring can be made from other materials such as polyvinyl chloride.

In accordance with European standards (EN548 and EN670), Marmoleum and Artoleum are manufactured on the basis of a homogeneous mixture of raw materials.

Sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles are often called linoleum, but the real product is completely different. Vinyl flooring is a synthetic product made of chlorinated petrochemicals, linoleum is produced from all-natural ingredients. Vinyl will melt if a lighted match or cigarette lands on it, linoleum can't. Also, vinyl patterns are printed into the surface, linoleum's colours go all the way through.

The Advantages of Linoleum

• Manufactured from readily renewable natural raw materials
• Highly recyclable and even production waste can be recycled
• So durable that will retain its attractive appearance for decades, when properly maintained
• And extremely hygienic. Its natural, inherent properties actually halt the breeding of many micro-organisms. Naturally Anti-Static - has natural anti-static properties to repel dust and dirt, making it easy to maintain a clean and healthy environment